By most accounts, the Democratic Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton got a lukewarm reception from students at a New York City high school last month.
Perhaps adding to the putative frontrunner’s frustrations was a warning to his campaign by school officials not to try to use a film of the session for political purposes.
The Arkansas Governor made an appearance at Benjamin Cardozo High School on March 24 along with Sandra Feldman, the president of the United Federation of Teachers.
A spokesman for the city’s board of education confirmed that the Arkansas Governor’s staff was informed by school officials that state law prohibits political activity at schools.
The school officials also pointed out that local rules prohibit the filming of commercials in the schools.
On March 25, Governor Clinton spoke on education issues in Rochester. In his address, he praised the city’s schools for their high profile reform efforts.
Last week, Governor Clinton promised that his wife, Hillary, would serve in an unspecified “high-level’’ post in his Administration if he wins the Democratic nomination and is elected President in the fall.
In the same breath, the candidate mentioned Ms. Clinton’s experience as an advocate for children.
When a reporter for The Washington Times asked Arkansas observers what position Ms. Clinton might want, some said the prominent lawyer would probably be most interested in the attorney general’s slot.
Other observers suggested, however, that the aspiring First Lady might be named secretary of education. They noted that she was a key player in her husband’s efforts to improve education in Arkansas.
Until this year, Ms. Clinton’s most visible role on the national stage was as chairman of the Children’s Defense Fund.
-J.M.
